Dominant Spotting Factor

ApAp_ No. 1

30” x 30” acrylic 2014Sold

Fig. 2 Dominant Spotting Factor12” x 12”graphite2014

Here is an example of a horse with the spotting factor, but no modifiers. This horse is an appaloosa, even though it doesn’t have any spotted patterns. A horse with the spotting factor, but without modifiers, will have at least one of these three characteristics: White sclera of the eye (the area around the iris, normally brown in horses), mottled skin pigmentation on the face and/or genital area, and striped hooves (Gower, 101). The dominant spotting factor allele is written ApAp. Because this allele is dominant, it doesn’t matter what the second copy of the gene is. This horse’s genotype (genetics) is written ApAp_, because it could be ApApApAp or ApApAp+. Visually, there is no difference between the two. Unless the horse is labeled Ap+Ap+, assume it has the spotting factor for this show.The spotting factor allele is represented in these paintings by a geometric star-like pattern. This pattern came from tile mosaics in the Alhambra in Spain. There are only two paintings in this show that do not have this pattern.Gower, Jeanette. Horse Color Explained a Breeder's Perspective. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square, 1999. Print.